Future Culinary Leaders to Compete in Dearborn

 
Michigan Restaurant Assn. will host 19 schools at competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        Contacts: Andy Deloney

February 25, 2005                                                                                          (517) 377-3931

   Stacy Gonda

                                                                                                                       (517) 377-3927

Culinary students from 19 Michigan secondary educational institutions will gather at the Dearborn Ritz-Carlton on March 14 and 15 for the fourth annual Michigan ProStart® Student Competition hosted by the Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA).

This exciting event brings together career-minded culinary students and instructors from Michigan high schools and vocational programs who wish to match their talents and expertise against one another.  Teams competing in the culinary competition face the task of creating a three course meal in 60 minutes.  A panel of sixteen judges critique each entry for presentation, technique, flavor, and sanitation.

The second competition tests the students’ wits by requiring situation analysis and problem-solving in a variety of hospitality industry challenges in a “Jeopardy” style quiz bowl format.

The winning teams in each competition advance to the National ProStart® Student Competition, which will be held in Orlando, FL, April 24 through 26.  In the 2004 national competition, Michigan’s Plymouth-Canton Educational Park took first place in the national culinary competition.

The Michigan Restaurant Association Educational Support Foundation (MRAESF) is developing tomorrow’s foodservice leaders today.  The MRAESF administers a college-prep high school program developed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, called ProStart®.  This program is designed to deliver qualified managers to the hospitality industry.

The Michigan ProStart® Student Competition is possible through the generous support of its sponsors:  American Express, Gordon Food Service, International Food Service Executives Association, Michaels and Associates, and Sysco Food Services of Michigan.

For more details, including a schedule of events, a list of our illustrious judges, and the competing schools, visit our website at www.michiganrestaurant.org/pages/prostart

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This event takes place at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, 300 Town Center Dr., in Dearborn, MI.  MEDIA ARE ENCOURAGED TO ARRIVE BY 9:30 A.M. FOR CHECK-IN.  DOORS TO THE CULINARY EVENT CLOSE AT 9:55 A.M. TUESDAY, MARCH 15.

Founded in 1921, the MRA represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments.  The foodservice industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, with hospitality, travel and tourism serving as the number two job provider in the state, employing more than 345,000 people and creating $11.3 billion in annual sales